The last leg of our trip included a hotel change and a move into L.A. The hour and a half, 30 mile drive introduced Preston and Brooklyn to traffic jams and reminded mom and dad how glad they were to live in where they do. It had been 15 years since Greg and Susan had last been to Universal Studios in Hollywood, and it had certainly transformed. Almost unable to find it in its new disguise of Universal Cities, it must have quadrupled in size sprawling all the way up a mountain side. Nothing looked the same, but everything was very impressive.

A welcome change was no crowd and no lines. Getting a picture at the front entrance was easy as was getting into most of the attractions.

Famous for their stunt shows, we were anxious to see the new Waterworld attraction. It was the first amphitheater setting we had been to that had enough seats for everyone and every seat was great. Like many water show attractions, the first 15 rows were the splash zone. The pre-show entertainers used buckets to make sure the audience understood what a splash zone was. Almost everyone in those rows left soaking wet. As the action began, the battle between good and evil was action-packed and fun filled with comical lines that Preston and Brooklyn enjoyed. Jet Sky stunts along with fire stunts and good old fashion fights kept the audience on the edge throughout the show. Towards the end, a seaplane actually flew over the wall and landed just above the audience. And, of course, the good guys won!

Attracting many of the dads, Zena welcomes pictures with visitors and signs autographs. Preston and Brooklyn stop to have their picture taken with her, as dad hates missing being in this shot. Someday, Brooklyn could grow up with all of those muscles, but until then, she prefers to be more like "Barbie".

Venturing out of the main area, it took four long escalator rides down a steep mountain side to lead us to the Jurassic Park ride. The entrance of the ride looked much like the entrance to the park in the movie. Walking down the path we noticed a sign selling rain ponchos for seventy-five cent--too much for Greg who was sure they were a moneymaking, over-exagerated ploy. Despite Susan's urging to purchase, we passed. It was only 15 seconds into the ride before Greg began to wonder if maybe the ponchos might have been a good idea as our boat ventured under a trellis dripping, or should I say running, with water. After being sprinkled, spayed, squirted, and dripped on, the worst was yet to come. Sitting in the front row, we knew we were in for it. Plunging down the steep incline landed us in the middle of waves of water and very wet. Needless to say, Greg now understands that an investment of 75 cents per person would have been well worth the purchase. Never before have we gotten so wet. Exiting the ride, the huge blow dryers blowing hot air are little help for drenched bodies. Take the ride, don't buy the ponchos, and you'll experience what we experienced for the rest of the day.

Interestingly, we met Frankenstein in the same Back Lot Tour Line 15 years ago getting a similar picture with him. This was Preston and Brooklyn's first time to meet him, however. Needless to say, once again, Greg gets out of having to take a picture with one of these characters.

This bottle of champaign was to be opened Jan 1, 2000, just one day after we took this shot. It contained approximately 2,000 gallons of champaign. Grandpa told us about the bottle that morning and said to keep an eye open for it. We actually walked by it three times before we noticed it. Sitting out in the sun for three years made us think that it wouldn't be very good. However, we saw the bottle be opened the next night on T.V. and no one seemed to complain. Overall, we were very pleased at Universal Studios Hollywood. We made it to all of the stunt shows for the kids. Their favorite, of course, was the Wild, Wild, West Show which was very similar to the one they saw in Orlando and included lots of funny action. We stayed the last night at the Hilton Hotel at the L.A. Airport. Though our night was uneventful, the hotel had taken painstaking efforts to make our stay comfortable and to let us know there were Y2K prepared. We found explicit instructions about the procedures we were to follow in case of an emergency. Each room had instructions, flashlights and a manual alarm clock in case the electricity went off. The next day was a good day at the L.A. Airport. Hardly any one was flying home on New Year's Eve. We made it back home with no problems and with plenty of time to celebrate the new year. This was the first time the kids have stayed awake to ring in the new year. The next trip... Carnival Triumph coming soon. Check back to see us travel the Western Caribbean. The last trip to the Western Caribbean ended up with us getting kicked off the Carnival Destiny due to chicken pox. Check out the story until we update our web site with our new adventure.

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